Building on the massive success of the Redmi Note 4 from last year, Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro in India. The company has taken a very different approach this time around as it has not only launched a ‘Pro’ variant of the device but also launched the handset first in India before unveiling it in its home market, China. Check out our Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro FAQ which should answer all your questions surrounding it.

Xiaomi is also ensuring a wide retail availability of the Redmi Note 5 in India this time around. The handset will be available in offline stores as well which should make it easier for many potential customers to get their hands on the smartphone.

If you are planning on buying a Redmi Note 5 or Redmi Note 5 Pro, check out our FAQ below which answers some of the most common questions surrounding the device.

Q) What are the full specifications of the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro? 

A) The full specs of the Redmi Note 5 are as follows:

• Dimensions: 158.5 x 75.45 x 8.05 mm
• Weight: 180g
• Display: 5.99-inch 18:9 aspect ratio, FHD+ (2160 x 1080), 2.5D curved glass
• Chipset: Octa-core Snapdragon 625 chipset clocked at 2GHz
• GPU: Adreno 506
• RAM: 3/4GB
• Storage: 32/64GB, Hybrid microSD card slot
• Rear camera: 12MP PDAF, F/2.2 aperture, 1.25um, Dual-LED flash, Full HD video recording
• Front camera: 5MP, LED Selfie-light, Beautify 3.0
• Sensors: Fingerprint scanner (Rear), Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient light sensor, eCompass
• Connectivity: LTE, (Hybrid) Dual-SIM, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, microUSB
• Battery: 4000mAh non-removable
• Others: MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat

The full specs of the Redmi Note 5 Pro are as follows:

• Dimensions: 158.6 x 75.4 x 8.05 mm
• Weight: 181g
• Display: 5.99-inch 18:9 aspect ratio, FHD+ (2160 x 1080), 2.5D curved glass
• Chipset: Octa-core Snapdragon 636 chipset clocked at 1.8GHz
• GPU: Adreno 509
• RAM: 4/6GB
• Storage: 32/64GB, Hybrid microSD card slot
• Rear camera:
  Primary: 12MP PDAF, F/2.2 aperture, 1.25um, Dual-LED flash, Full HD video recording
  Secondary: 5MP, 1.12um pixels, f/2.0. Used for capturing depth information for adding bokeh effect to photos
• Front camera: 20MP IMX376, LED Selfie-light, Beautify 4.0
• Sensors: Fingerprint scanner (Rear), Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Ambient light sensor, eCompass
• Connectivity: LTE, (Hybrid) Dual-SIM, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, microUSB
• Battery: 4000mAh non-removable
• Others: MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat

Q) What are the differences between Redmi Note 4 and Redmi Note 5?

A) Th Redmi Note 5 features a slightly improved design, a bigger 5.99-inch 18:9 aspect ratio display, and a vastly improved rear camera that is capable of taking much better photos in low-light scenarios. Xiaomi says it has upgraded the phone in three key areas over the Redmi Note 4: Design, Camera, and Quality. Other aspects of the handset remain the same as its predecessor which includes the same Snapdragon 625 chipset as well.

Q) What are the differences between Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro?

A) The Redmi Note 5 Pro is a more powerful variant of the Redmi Note 5. There are three major improvements that it sports over the regular Redmi Note 5. Firstly, it packs a more powerful Snapdragon 636 chipset which offers up to 40 percent better performance than the Snapdragon 625 found inside the Redmi Note 5. Secondly, it features a dual-camera setup at the rear which can be used to capture photos with a bokeh effect as seen on DSLRs and other smartphones. Barring these two differences, the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro are identical to each other.

Lastly, the Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with a 20MP selfie shooter at the front which is also aided by a selfie-light. The higher resolution sensor allows the handset to offer face unlock as well.

Q) Is the battery of the handset removable?

A) No, since the Redmi Note 5 features a unibody aluminum build, the battery and back cover is not removable.

Q) What kind of SIM card slot does the phone have? Can I use two SIM cards and a microSD card at the same time?

A) The Redmi Note 5 features a hybrid SIM card slot. This means that you can either 1 SIM card and microSD card or 2 SIM cards at any given time. The primary SIM slot accepts microSIM cards, while the secondary slot accepts nanoSIM cards. This is unlike Xiaomi’s other recently launched phones in India like the Redmi 5A and Redmi Y1 which featured a dedicated microSD card slot.

Q) Do the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro feature an IR blaster that can be used to control TVs and other devices?

A) Yes, both variants of the Redmi Note 5 feature an IR blaster.

Q) Do you get face unlock on both variants of the Redmi Note 5 Pro?

A) No. Face unlock is only available on the Redmi Note 5 Pro which features a 20MP selfie camera.

Q) Can one record calls on Redmi Note 5?

A) Yes, one can record calls on the Redmi Note 5.

Q) Does the Redmi Note 5 feature FM radio?

A) Yes, the Redmi Note 5 does come with FM radio.

Q) Is the display on the Redmi Note 5 protected by Gorilla Glass?

A) Yes, the 5.99-inch display on the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro is protected by a 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Q) Can you lock apps using the fingerprint scanner on the Redmi Note 5?

A) Yes, you can. The steps can be found here.

Q) Where is the fingerprint scanner on the Redmi Note 5 located? Is it touch-based?

A) The fingerprint scanner on the Redmi Note 5 is located at the rear, and yes, it is touch based.

Q) How many fingerprints can one register on the Redmi Note 5?

A) 5.

Q) Can you record slow-motion videos on the Redmi Note 5?

A) Yes, it can but only at 720p @ 120fps. It can also record videos in Full HD resolution at 30fps.

Q) Can one make native video calls on Redmi Note 5 without using a third-party app?

A) Yes, you can directly make video calls on the Redmi Note 5 without using an app like Google Duo or Skype.

Q) Which version of Android does the handset run on?

A) Android 7.1.2 Nougat.

Q) Which version of MIUI does the Redmi Note 5 run on? 

A) The Redmi Note 5 runs on MIUI 9 out of the box.

Q) Does the Redmi Note 5 support LTE and VoLTe networks? Will a Reliance Jio SIM work on the phone?

A) Yes, it does support LTE and VoLTE out of the box. Unlike many other phones, the handset will also work with a Reliance Jio SIM out of the box. The Redmi Note 5 also supports Band 5, which will be used by many Indian operators in the future.

Q) What about VoLTE support on AirTel’s network?

A) Yes, the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro support Airtel’s VoLTE network. Xiaomi will also add support for Vodafone’s VoLTE network on the handset with a future software update.

Q) Is Quick charging 2.0 supported on the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro?

A) No and yes. The Redmi Note 5 does not support quick or fast charging tech of any kind. The Redmi Note 5 Pro does support Quick Charge 2.0 but it does not come bundled with a compatible charger. Using a Quick Charge 2.0 charger is not going to make much of a difference to overall charging times as well since the stock charger already charges the device at 2A.

Q) How much free storage space does one get on the Redmi Note 5 out of the box?

A) Almost 23GB out of the box, while the 64GB has 53.22GB of free space

Q) Can you uninstall or disable pre-installed apps on the handset?

A) Yes, you can uninstall or disable some pre-installed apps on the Redmi Note 5, but not all.

Q) What colors are the Redmi Note 5 going to be available in?

A) The handset will be available in Black, Gold, Rose Gold, and Blue colors.

Q) What contents do you get inside the retail box of the Redmi Note 5?

A) You get the phone, a 2A charger, a USB cable, SIM ejector tool, and some regulatory papers. Xiaomi is also bundling a free plastic case with the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro this time around.

Q) Does the handset support USB OTG?

A) Yes, the Redmi Note 5 supports USB On-The-Go. This allows you to directly connect pen drives, external hard disks and more using an adapter to the device.

Q) How many colors are the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro going to be available in?

A) The handsets will be available in four colors: black, rose gold, blue, and pink.

Q) When does the Redmi Note 5 go on sale and where?

A) The Redmi Note 5 goes on sale in India from February 22. The handset will be available for purchase through Mi.com and Flipkart.

Q) How much do the different variants of the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro cost?

A) The prices of the different variants of the Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro are as follows:

Redmi Note 5 Price:

• 3GB RAM + 32GB storage – Rs 9,999
• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage – Rs 11,999

Redmi Note 5 Pro Price:

• 4GB RAM + 32GB storage – Rs 13,999
• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage – Rs 16,999

If you have any other question regarding the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro, drop in a comment and we will be glad to answer them.